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Тhe 30/30 Project helps poets of all backgrounds grow their confidence as writers and establish a literary community for themselves. Rooted in collaboration, reciprocity, and literary citizenship, 30/30 poets develop a body of work, confidence and discipline in their writing process, and build their readership base during their participation, all the while supporting independent publishing. Register here and find out more!

Fourteen years ago, the 30/30 Project started with a friend of Tupelo Press looking to conquer her writer’s block. By the beginning of 2023, 1,000 volunteer poets globally have embarked on their own poetry marathons, writing 30 poems every day for a month. Poets join a vast, supportive alumni network full of potential readers and collaborators. 30/30 alumni have work published in over 200 unique literary journals and magazines generated during their 30/30 months.

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Nine poets take up the torch each month to write a poem a day, in support of Tupelo Press. Since its inception, the project has added annual alumni readings, mini-craft talks for writing poets, and an extended alumni community with a special relationship to Tupelo Press. 30/30 past contributors by month.


Sponsors of 30/30 poets make it possible for Tupelo Press to continue to expand the diversity of the literary canon, provide exposure for participating poets, and increase their confidence and visibility. Incredible poets and incredible work are discovered and supported through this generative drawing board!

  • “The experience for me was transformational. Through this 30 day journey, I networked with fellow creative spirits, learned to put my poetry out there without fear of criticism, and felt completely comfortable and confident in the poems I was producing because I could feel, through Tupelo’s emails and the emails from fellow writers for the month, that I was valued and making a difference.”

    Anthony Cicchino, April 2019 Volunteer Poet

  • "Participating in the 30/30 Project was a far more inspirational and enlightening experience than I could have imagined. Doing so has also given me the most basic sense of why people decide to write professionally full-time. While I'm not ready to quit my day job just yet, I now know that doing so is a possibility when the time comes. Because of your generosity to Tupelo Press in honor of my month as a volunteer poet, I will also experience a residency at Gentle House during which I'll be able to dedicate multiple full days to writing more poetry. Professional writers dream about such opportunities!"

    KC

  • "Thank you for the craft talk. It was *invaluable.* Your insights on sharing and talking about poems in an open-ended, welcoming way were just transformational for me."

    CK

  • "I've done a few other 30/30 challenges, but this is the first time that I've felt so supported and part of something larger than my own project. I love the combination of quick, specific feedback; the craft talks; and the fund-raising component. It's a lovely program, and I will definitely apply to participate again! "

    Jennifer Dracos-Tice

  • "This is my second 30/30 poetry challenge I've participated in. It's everything you can ever wish for: a creative jumpstart, arrestive must-have flashes of inspiration, pushing through challenges you never thought you could meet, affirmation of daily practice and follow through with commitment, going to creative places you never thought you could go, and having those breakthroughs you've been longing for. Just learning the daily art of "letting go" will climb mountains for you. Daily practice, like daily sadhana, produces great results. By the end, you are rewarded with a complete body of work you can develop for professional use, or just to have won the trophy of a job well done! One of my mentors, David Lehman says one of the most productive time of his life was when he was writing a poem a day. He did it for five years, and got two books out of it. Job well done. I love this, and would do it again and again. Highly recommended! Bravo to Tupelo Press for creating such a fabulous community for artists to thrive in."

    ava m. hu

FAQs

  • Q: How do I apply?
    A: Complete our application here, including three poems, so we can get to know you! 

    Q: How do I choose a month? 
    A:     Pick any month on the drop down and leave us a note in the Bio section if you have a preference not listed.

  • Q: How many poems do poets write in a month?
    A: Poets write 30 poems each month with the exception of February (28 or 29 poems!).  

  • Q:  Is this a prompt-driven project?
    A:  There will be prompts available if you want them, but the project isn’t driven by prompts!

    Q: Are there opportunities for collaboration?
    A:     Each poet must write their own poems, and we will consider ideas for collaboration.

    Q: Can I include images and artwork with my poetry? 
    A: Yes, you may. If the work is not your own, you must receive permission and cite your source.   

    Q: Are there guidelines about what kinds of poems I can submit? 
    A: Yes, we ask that you submit no more than one (1) Haiku-length poem during your month and no poems over two (2) document pages. Questions about how to submit your poem and fundraising tips will be answered by staff via email leading up to your 30/30 month. 

  • Q: Do you provide support and ideas for fundraising?
    A: We have strategies for fundraising and for how fundraising can help you. 

  • Q: Are 30/30 poems considered published works? 
    A: No! Poems from the 30/30 Project are considered “rough drafts” and our readers approach them with this mindset. Tupelo Press takes no rights and 30/30 poems are only on our website for two months before they’re taken down. 

    Q: Can I submit my 30/30 poems to journals and literary magazines?
    A: Absolutely! Work from 30/30 poets have been published in over 200 unique journals and literary magazines.

    Q: Can I publishmy 30/30 poems as a chapbook or part of a manuscript? 
    A: Yes! Many poets have included their 30/30 poems in anthologies or manuscripts. In the past, poets have even revised their month of poems and published them as a chapbook!   

Have questions or comments about the 30/30 Project?

Email Kirsten Miles, Executive Director of the 30/30 Project, at kmiles@tupelopress.org